The cactus sits in the desert, untouched, unwanted and stubborn in its determination to survive. Its bloated face is detestable, uneven in rendering, sickly green in hue, a wart upon the sandy landscape. The cactus embodies the temperament of the desert; it will not share, it will not smile, and the regular passerby is to be frowned upon, bitten if necessary. One could find disgust for this remorseless entity, but upon closer examination, there is beauty to be found, soft and velvet, in the shape of a small cactus rose.
San Antonio is that flower upon the cactus, that daisy clutched in the hand of a beast, so making the surrounding desert wildly beautiful scenery instead of the blasted landscape it ought to be. Captivating with its soaring structures and modern wonders, San Antonio is a magnificent convergence of majesty and solace, amusement and history.
The city of San Antonio offers a glut of famed amusement parks, including Sea World, Six Flags, and the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. Go to Sea World, where you can leave this world behind and enter a sparkling world of fish and coral. Herman Melville, speaking of the beautiful world beneath, once said "There is one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath." Any who visit Sea World can understand this feeling of wonder and mystique. The Six Flags amusement park is a novel experience. Their innovative roller coasters allow us, as human beings bound to the earth, to feel like we can fly. Sometimes in dreams we fly freely, only to wake and view the robins wistfully. Six Flags is the closest we will ever get to flying, and is recommended to all who visit the area. The Shlitterbahn Waterpark Resort is an incredible place as well, famous for its amazing facility. As one sees the weaving slides and glistening pools, then hears the echoed sounds coming up off the water, a feeling of excitement first trembles, then leaps up within the chest. With so much to do and so much to see, it is little wonder that San Antonio is a chosen place for vacation and tourism.
The city is an incredible place, both in scale and content, but in the boom and bustle of the city, it can be difficult to find suitable lodging as a tourist. You could call the closest hotel, but with prior planning, you can make a reservation and spend the night in a bed and breakfast inn. While a hotel is a nice place to rest your head for the night, a bed and breakfast inn is all about the experience. Near the Alamo and found inside the King William District, the bed and breakfast Alamo Street Victorian Inn is a classy, comfortable option. In this inn the rooms are luxurious, the facility is clean, and the experience is personalized to the point that they greet you with cookies and wake you with breakfast. Sometimes it's nice pull out of the churning rapids and simply slow down, take a deep breath, and relax.
"The desperate battle of the Alamo captures the unconquerable spirit of patriotism; the Alamo is a symbol of that determined spirit, and reminds us of man's nobility and bravery..."
The sound of a river is wonderful, the hushed whisper difficult to describe, but impossible to forget. The San Antonio River is a vein of ambrosia, a conduit of life, ushering through its course a constant stream of art and music. Galleries and museums can be found along its banks, their inspirations seemingly derived from the tantalizing waters. The San Antonio Riverwalk is a must-see attraction, a magical place straight from a Disney movie, with glowing restaurants and bars gazing out across the river. Events are often held around and upon the shimmering water, and if desired, one can ride the river itself with a guided tour. And the river slides by, bringing in tourists from all around the country.
From peaceful river to gritty desert, the historic site of the Alamo is a thought-provoking visit. Long ago, valiant men of this country stood before the numerous armies of Santa Ana, and regardless of their impending death, fought to protect all that they held dear. They would not let their country down. They would not abandon their post. With their flag blazing above the ramparts, they engaged the oncoming tide of soldiers with fire of soul and flash of cannon. This same site of pain and fear, courage and valor, is open for visits. To walk upon the steps and stand upon the walls those men defended all those years ago is a sobering experience, but one that can help us better appreciate the value of liberty. The desperate battle of the Alamo captures the unconquerable spirit of patriotism; the Alamo is a symbol of that determined spirit, and reminds us of man's nobility and bravery, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
And so the desert may howl, the sun may sneer, but within the unforgiving Texas landscape, man has found beauty in the bitterness. The existence of San Antonio shows man's ability to take a land such as Texas and create something amazing, beautiful as an elegant rose upon a cactus.
Shaun Merrill is an employee of BnB Websites, and has come in contact with a variety of different bed and breakfast inns. For more information about the Alamo Street Victorian Inn visit www.alamostreetvictorianinn.com 
